The United States and Russia sign a market access agreement allowing the U.S. potato industry to export fresh potatoes to Russia.
The National Potato Council (NPC) and U.S. Potato Board (USPB) say the agreement provides for market access from all U.S. states.
It is the first plant market access agreement ever to be signed between the U.S. and Russia. Work began on establishing a market access agreement for U.S. potatoes to Russia in 2006 with the U.S. potato industry working through its Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Initiative, jointly funded by the USPB, NPC and state potato organizations.
The final step in the process was a visit by Russian officials to the U.S. The officials traveled to Oregon where they met state and national officials and toured potato production and packing facilities. The Oregon Potato Commission, Washington State Potato Commission and Idaho Potato Commission helped organize the visit and hosted the Russian delegation.